After a two-week hiatus, the CW show returns on Thurs (8/7c) and from the looks of it, Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev) — whose emotions were shut off by Damon when she was overly distraught by her brother's death -- is going to be one reckless and carefree woman.

"She's going to be kicking the boys' asses a lot, I mean I literally get my ass kicked by Elena every episode now," Somerhalder says. "But it's super cool to see this super empowered woman where the boys aren't scared she's going to walk out the door and get killed because she's a badass chick who can hold her own."

But how might Damon end up pushing Elena back into the arms of his brother, Stefan (Paul Wesley)? And what does Somerhalder say about filming the prom episode?